### Military Involvement in the Vietnam War

**Overview**
The Vietnam War, a prolonged conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its primary ally, the United States, was notable for its duration and intensity. The United States, under the banner of preventing the spread of communism, supported South Vietnam with vast amounts of military and economic aid. The conflict is well-known not only for its political and military implications but also for the substantial social upheaval it caused in the United States, deeply affecting American culture and leading to widespread protests.

**Timeline and Context**
The roots of the Vietnam War began in the post-World War II era, as the Cold War tensions between the capitalist United States and the communist Soviet Union escalated. Vietnam, previously a French colony, emerged as a front in the global struggle between the two superpowers after the Geneva Conference in 1954, which resulted in the splitting of Vietnam into North and South along the 17th parallel.

**Official Beginning of U.S. Combat Operations**
While the U.S. had been involved in Vietnam in various capacities—such as advisors and support troops—since the 1950s, the direct military involvement significantly escalated in 1965. Historical records mark this year as the official start of American ground combat operations in Vietnam, signifying a profound escalation from advisory roles to active combat.

The official deployment of U.S. combat units in 1965 marked a decisive moment in the Vietnam War's escalation. The decision came in the wake of various incidents, including the Gulf of Tonkin Incident in August 1964, which precipitated the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution. This resolution granted President Lyndon B. Johnson broad military powers in Vietnam and was a critical factor leading to the deployment of combat units. The first major deployment involved the United States Marine Corps landing at Da Nang on March 8, 1965, officially initiating large-scale American involvement in the conflict.

**Military and Strategic Implications**
Upon the arrival of American troops, the war's nature began to change. The North Vietnamese and the Viet Cong guerrilla fighters they supported were well-entrenched and used guerrilla tactics that the U.S. military was initially ill-prepared for. The U.S. response involved both extensive aerial bombing campaigns, such as Operation Rolling Thunder, and a ground war characterized by large-unit search and destroy missions. These tactics contributed to extensive destruction and disruption in Vietnam, marginalizing civilian life and impacting the ecological landscape.

**Social Impact and Withdrawal**
Back in the United States, public opinion was initially supportive of the effort to contain communism. However, as casualty rates climbed and the perceived progress appeared lacking, public support waned. The media played a crucial role in shaping public perception, broadcasting images and reports that brought the war's stark realities into American living rooms. Protests erupted across the country, and the anti-war sentiment became a powerful force influencing U.S. politics and policies.

**Conclusion**
In response to increasing domestic opposition and the realization that a military victory was unlikely without unacceptable costs, the U.S. began to withdraw troops in 1969, a process known as "Vietnamization," which aimed to transfer combat roles to South Vietnamese forces. However, despite this approach, the war continued until the fall of Saigon in 1975.

The official commencement of military operations in 1965 marked a critical juncture in the Vietnam War, significantly altering its course and having profound implications for both Vietnam and the United States. The involvement continued to shape foreign and domestic policies in the years that followed, leaving a lasting imprint on the 20th century geopolitical landscape.